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Russell Martin wasn't anywhere to be seen when Team Canada suited up for the World Baseball Classic this March in Phoenix.

One place you are certain to find him, though, is on the October stage.

As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepared to face the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth and deciding game of the National League Division Series Wednesday night, Martin was slated to start behind the plate for the Bucs.

It would be his 39th post-season game, breaking Tip O'Neill's 125-year-old record of appearances by a Canadian in the post-season.

A Pirates win Wednesday sends them to the west coast to play the Los Angeles Dodgers to begin the best-of-seven National League Championship Series.

A Cardinals win brings the Dodgers to the midwest.

This is Martin's eighth season in the major leagues. With the Dodgers, he reached October in 2006, 2008 and 2009. Signing a two-year deal with the New York Yankees, he went 2-for-2 in 2011 and 2012.

And this year with the Bucs makes him 6-for-8.

Hall of Famer Ernie Banks played 19 seasons for the Chicago Cubs and never had a post-season at-bat.

Martin had played 38 games going into Game 5.

He has started all 38.

He has gone first-pitch to last pitch in 36 games. The two games he didn't go the distance was when Yankees manager Joe Girardi sent Curtis Granderson to hit for him in the seventh inning of an 8-1 loss as the Detroit Tigers eliminated the Yanks in a four-game sweep of last year's ALCS, and in Game 4 on Monday, when Clint Hurdle pinch-ran for Martin after he drew a walk, down 2-1 in the eighth inning.

Martin caught a 12-inning and a 13-inning game as the Yanks bested the Baltimore Orioles in the AL division series last year, and a 12-inning game against Detroit in the 2012 ALCS.

Figuring in losses on the road, where there isn't any ninth inning for him to squat, Martin has caught 329 of a possible 331 of his team's post-season innings (99.1%).

O'Neill played left field in four World Series with the St. Louis Browns from 1885-88 ... but according to North Bay stats guru Neil Munro, prior to 1903 the World Series contests were considered exhibitions. There was not a set schedule. The purpose was to make some money. Teams played until the interest by spectators waned.

For example, the 1887 Series between the Detroit Wolverines and the Browns lasted 15 games, Detroit winning 10-5.

Born in Springfield, Ont., O'Neill hit .240 in 38 games with five homers, 25 RBIs and a .693 OPS (although we're not sure he knew the term then).

Back to this century ... Justin Morneau was at first base for the Pirates on Wednesday, making his 13th post-season start.

Two of Martin's homers came this fall in the wild-card game as the Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-2, the first off Johnny Cueto -- who at one point dropped the baseball as fans chanted his name so loudly. Martin went deep on the next pitch and he homered again in the seventh off reliever Logan Ondrusek.

Martin is first amongst Canadians in post-season games, doubles and walks according to Scott Crawford of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. Martin is second in at-bats, hits and RBIs and third in runs, homers and total bases.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle has praised Martin for his preparation and approach this season, starting 117 games and again in post-season play.

Martin says there isn't any difference between a game in the regular season and one in October.

"It's kind of the same routine," Martin told reporters. "Get to the field; after batting practice, have a meeting with the pitcher, go over the lineup. Pretty much the same we would do during the regular season.

"Every pitcher is a little different. For the most part, we built this relationship throughout the year. I feel comfortable with any pitcher we have on the staff. The only thing that's different is every pitch is magnified at this point. Other than that, it's the same game."

And no Canadian has played more of those games in the post-season than Martin.

CANADIAN POST-SEASON LEADERS

Canadian leaders in post-season play going into Game 5 of the National League division series as Russell Martin breaks Tip O'Neill's 125-year-old games played record:

Russell Martin's 39 MLB playoff games a Canadian record

Russell Martin wasn't anywhere to be seen when Team Canada suited up for the World Baseball Classic this March in Phoenix.

One place you are certain to find him, though, is on the October stage.

As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepared to face the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth and deciding game of the National League Division Series Wednesday night, Martin was slated to start behind the plate for the Bucs.

It would be his 39th post-season game, breaking Tip O'Neill's 125-year-old record of appearances by a Canadian in the post-season.